What are the most commons standards cited?
Each calendar year PERRP compiles statistics on the top 25 recognized hazards identified during voluntary and enforcement inspections. Public employers and employees can use the lists to help identify hazardous conditions in their workplace.

To file a complaint or report an imminent danger condition, call 1-800-671-6858.

Who can file a safety and health complaint?
A current public employee (i.e., persons employed by state agencies, counties, cities, townships, villages, school districts, state universities and special districts) or employee representative (e.g., union official). Peace officers employed by public employers do not fall under PERRP jurisdiction.

Note: PERRP does not have jurisdiction to process complaints from former public employees; family members of a public employee; or members of the general public.

What is a formal complaint?
Under Ohio law, public employees who believe that a hazardous condition exists in their workplace that threatens physical harm, or creates an imminent danger, may file a complaint with PERRP requesting an inspection. Filing a complaint is confidential and your name will not be revealed to your employer.

If you think your job is unsafe and you want to discuss your concerns, contact us at 1-800-671-6858.

You can also send us an email. Please include your name and contact information in your correspondence so that we can call you back and discuss your concerns. Click here to start the conversation!

When will my complaint be sent to my employer?
Within five business days of the receipt of the complaint, PERRP will send a letter of notification to the public employer by certified mail, which outlines the allegations. This notification letter will not include the name(s) of the complainant(s).

How long does my employer have to respond to my complaint, and what does the employer have to do?
The public employer must investigate, correct and respond to the allegations within 30 days. If the employer does not respond, or if PERRP determines the response is inadequate, an inspection of the workplace will result.

Two outcomes can result from a complaint inspection.

PERRP determines there are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation or danger exists. If this occurs, the complainant will be notified of the outcome.

PERRP identifies violations and issues citations to the employer that require corrective action. If the employer fails to correct identified hazards within the allotted time, they may face fines.

What are the conditions to file a refusal to work?
If you believe your employer is asking you to perform work that presents an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm, you have a right to refuse those job assignments.

Examples of potential imminent danger conditions include: working in a trench or excavation without adequate protection; entering and performing work in a confined space without proper equipment and training; working in a roadway right-of-way without high visibility work apparel or advance warning signs.

How do I file a refusal to work?
You must notify your immediate supervisor that the assigned work task has a risk of death or physical harm. If the employer refuses to correct the hazardous conditions, you must notify PERRP by calling 1-800-671-6858. You will be required to submit a written statement that describes the imminent danger conditions to PERRP.

Am I protected from discrimination or retaliation?
Yes. Employees are protected from discrimination or retaliation for exercising their rights under the Act. Employees who feel they have been discriminated for exercising their rights can file an appeal with the State Personnel Board of Review.

Request PERRP to conduct a voluntary risk reduction inspection to identify hazardous conditions before they result in an enforcement inspection.

Are public employers required to display a job safety and health poster?
Yes. You must display a "notice" to inform employees of their rights and responsibilities. You can order a printed copy of the required poster or you can download and print a copy on 8 ½ x 14 (legal) size paper.Note: The Federal OSHA poster is not required for public employment workplaces.

When I am required to report a fatality or hospitalization?
Public employers must report workplace fatalities and hospitalizations within eight hours. All fatalities must be reported to PERRP including heart attacks and motor vehicle accidents. Incidents that require in-patient hospitalization of an injured worker must also be reported.

How do I file a fatality or hospitalization report?

Call PERRP at 1-800-671-6858, and press option 1

If you have to leave a message, provide your name, phone number, employer's name and a brief description of the incident.

If citations are issued after an enforcement visit, what am I required to do?
You must post the citations after they're received. Citations must be posted at or near the work location where the alleged violation occurred and where affected employees may review the findings. All citations must remain posted until all alleged violations are corrected, or for three working days, whichever is longer.

When do I need to submit abatement verification for citations that I have received?
You must file an abatement verification report within 14 days of the abatement date that appears on each citation. Abatement Verification Report (PERRP-4)

Abatement verification documentation must be posted where affected employees may review the materials.

Do I have to complete the corrective action report that was sent after my compliance assistance visit?
Yes. You must file a corrective action report in response to compliance assistance visits. The report should be filed within 90 days of the visit. You do not have to wait until all items in the report have been corrected before you submit your initial report. Click here to submit your corrective action report.

Injury and illness recordkeeping

What recordkeeping forms are public employers required to use and maintain?

The Injury and Illness Incident Report (301P) - This form must be filled out within six calendar days of when a recordable work-related injury or illness occurs. It's a detailed report of important facts about each incident. You must keep this form on file for five years following the year to which it pertains. PERRP can request to see these forms at any time. You must have a 301P (or equivalent) form for each incident entered on the 300P.

Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (300P) - Use this form to record:

Information about every work-related death and every work-related injury or illness that involves loss of consciousness, restricted work activity or job transfer, days away from work, or medical treatment beyond first aid.

Significant work-related injuries and illnesses that a physician or other practicing licensed health-care professional diagnoses.

Work-related injuries and illnesses that meet any of the specific criteria listed in the instructions for these forms.

The Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (300AP) - This form is a summary of your Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (300P). Transfer the totals from each category column on the 300P to the corresponding fields on the 300AP. Record 0 in a field if you did not have an entry for that category. The law requires this form be completed, posted in the workplace and submitted to PERRP on or before Feb. 1 each year.

Safety and health poster

Can I order hard copies of the poster?
Yes. Click here to request printed copies of the poster. Please include in your request: your name, mailing address, phone number and how many PERRP posters you need, and we will get them in the mail the next business day.

Why should I request a compliance assistance visit?
Participation in voluntary facility and equipment inspections demonstrates a "good faith" effort to comply with adopted standards and rules. Each safety or industrial hygiene compliance assistance visit culminates in a detailed written report that:

Identifies hazardous conditions and their locations.

References adopted standards applicable to identified hazards.

Provides recommendations for corrective actions.

Why should I have my safety programs and policies reviewed?
PERRP experts can help you make sure your programs and policies are in compliance with the law.

Why should I request an industrial hygiene (IH) survey?
An IH survey provides an analytical picture of the working environment. PERRP IH services include chemical exposure monitoring; area monitoring and personal sampling for noise exposures; and indoor air quality surveys.

Why should I train employees?
PERRP training provides public employees with information to help them recognize and avoid unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.

PERRP alerts, fact sheets and checklists

What are PERRP Safety Alerts (PSAs)?
PSAs provide important information that employers can use to educate their employees about potential risks that have caused public employee injuries or deaths in Ohio. Each PSA outlines ways to reduce or eliminate work related accidents. It also covers training and proper work practices. Then it identifies controls necessary to reduce the risk of serious injury.

PSAs are not a standard or regulation, and they create no new legal obligations. PSAs are advisory in nature, informational in content, and intended to assist public employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.Click here to download our safety alerts.

What are PERRP fact sheets and checklists?
Fact sheets and checklists are intended to assist public employers and employees with understanding the adopted standards and the recognition of hazardous conditions. They provide summaries of new or updated Ohio Employment Risk Reduction Standards and guidance on other issues that frequently occur in public sector workplaces.

Crane Operator Certification Fact Sheet
On Nov. 8, 2010, PERRP adopted an Ohio Employment Risk Reduction standard for cranes and derricks used during public employment construction activities. If you're a state or local government (public) employer or employee in Ohio, you must comply with this adopted standard, 29 CFR 1926, Subpart CC. This fact sheet summarizes requirements in this updated standard for the certification of crane operators.

Safety Partnership Agreement (SPA) program

The PERRP SPA program is open to all public employers that meet the participation requirements. The program recognizes public employers that have exemplary safety and health programs. Program participants are encouraged to serve as occupational safety and health mentors for other public employers. SPA participants are excluded from PERRP general schedule inspections.

The basic program participation requirements are:

The public employer has an active workers' compensation policy and is current with respect to all payments due to the bureau.

The public employer has an injury and illness history less than the aggregate incidence rate for all Ohio public employment sectors.

The public employer must establish and maintain a safety committee.

The public employer must not have any open, unresolved, or outstanding PERRP enforcement actions.

The public employer must agree to comprehensive employment risk reduction inspections.